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CNN Live Today

Daniel Pearl's Killers Convicted

Aired July 15, 2002 - 12:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In another courtroom halfway around the world: guilty verdicts for four men accused in the kidnap and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl; for one, a sentence of death.

CNN's Tom Mintier is in Islamabad, Pakistan, where he has been following their trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The verdict came out in the most strict of security that Pakistan has probably ever seen in a trial. Inside a prison: a courtroom specially built to house the trial of the four defendants who were accused. The judge came in and very quickly issued his order that all four were guilty as charged, and the lead defendant, Sheikh Omar, was going to be sentenced to death.

Now, that death penalty may be appealed to the high court in Pakistan in next seven days. And, again, it may also go to the Supreme Court, because the death penalty is involved. But the chief prosecutor in the case says that this indeed was a case of terrorism.

RAJA QUERESHI, PROSECUTOR: Whereafter the arguments were heard and the learned judge pronounced the judgment today convicting, by holding that these acts are acts of terrorism nationally and internationally. And I feel the objective of the law of terrorism has been achieved by securing the conviction against the accused persons.

MINTIER: One disturbing outcome of the proceedings was a statement by Sheikh Omar after the judge passed sentence on him. He told his lawyer to pass on to the outside that -- quote -- "I will see whether who wants to kill me will kill me or get himself killed. It is a decisive war between Islam and kafir" -- or the infidels -- "and everyone is individually proving on which side he is."

While the Pearl family has not responded to this, on their Web site was a note from the family thanking everyone, Pakistani and U.S. officials, for their tireless efforts in seeing that justice was done. The Pearl case is far from over. In addition to the appeals, police say that there are at least a half-a-dozen other suspects who may have direct links to the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl, and they may bring them to justice soon.

Tom Mintier, CNN, Islamabad, Pakistan. (END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: In a statement on its Web Site, the Pearl family thanks Pakistani and U.S. officials.

It reads -- quote -- "We, the parents, wife, and sisters of Daniel Pearl, are grateful for the tireless efforts by authorities in Pakistan and the United States to bring those guilty of Danny's kidnapping and murder to justice. Today's verdict is the first chapter in this process. We hope and trust that the search for the remaining abductors and murderers will continue, so that all accomplices in this unthinkable crime will be brought to justice. We are confident that around the world people will continue to be inspired by Danny's courage and commitment to truth, humanity, and dialogue, and we call upon them to rise against all forms of hatred and intolerance."

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